Sake cup with moon-white glaze and gold leaf by Matsubayashi Hosai

Width: 7.0cm Height: 4.5cm

The Rinpa aesthetic sense embodied in an elegant sake cup

Matsubayashi Hosai's "Shuten Tsukishiroyu Nagashi Kinsai" is a work that beautifully combines elegance and sculptural beauty. Gold is used as an accent, adding an elegant shine to the whole piece. The shine of this gold is reminiscent of Ogata Korin's Rinpa school, giving the whole sake cup a gorgeous and elegant appearance. The Rinpa school's aesthetic sense of "simplicity and decorativeness" is skillfully expressed, and the work gives the viewer a sense of the deep history of Japanese art. This sake cup, which exudes Rinpa beauty, is not only practical, but also provides visual enjoyment.

The beautiful blue of the Tsukishiro glaze creates a fantastical landscape

The Gekkishiro glaze, one of the major features of this piece, has a beautiful pale bluish color that creates a fantastical landscape reminiscent of the light of the moon floating in the night sky. The smooth texture and transparency of the Gekkishiro glaze give the entire piece a refreshing feel, emanating a quiet charm that makes you want to continue looking at it forever. The unique patterns created by the glaze naturally flowing down create a dynamic beauty like a landscape painting, soothing the viewer's heart.

Exquisite gold accents

The gold leaf applied to this sake cup is not merely decorative, but adds a dynamic element to the piece. The luster of the gold leaf stands out in contrast to the pale tones of the Geshiro glaze, maintaining the overall balance while also functioning as a visual accent. This use of gold leaf has a decorative and aesthetic unity that is seen in Rinpa art, giving the piece an air of nobility.

A fusion of practicality and sculptural beauty

The "Sake Cup Tsukishiroyu Nagashi Kinsai" is a work that combines practicality with an elegant and refined beauty of form. When you hold it in your hand, you can feel how it fits comfortably in your hand, and it feels natural when you bring it to your mouth. The combination of sculptural chamfering, gold leaf, and Tsukishiroyu glaze perfectly balances visual beauty with practical functionality. The texture you can feel every time you pick it up and its sculptural beauty make this sake cup special.

The aesthetic sense of "kirei sabi" and the breath of tea culture

This piece inherits the tradition of Asahi ware created by Matsubayashi Hosai, but with a modern interpretation. It reflects the aesthetic sense of "kirei sabi" that is the basis of Asahi ware, while pursuing a new beauty with a modern approach. The style, which follows the aesthetic sense of Kobori Enshu, continues to convey the traditional Japanese aesthetic nurtured in the world of the tea ceremony to the present day.

The historical background of Asahi ware and Uji

Asahiyaki is a pottery manufacturer with over 400 years of history in the town of Uji, and the sake cup "Tsukishiroyu Nagashi Kinsai" is steeped in that historical background. The area of ​​Uji once flourished as a villa area for aristocrats during the Heian period, and is also featured in Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji." Byodo-in Temple is located across the Uji River, and the clay from this area has been used for pottery since ancient times. Asahiyaki was taught by Kobori Enshu during the Keicho period, and has continued to create tea utensils that express Enshu's preference for "kirei sabi" (beautiful sabi). This tradition is deeply rooted in the works of Matsubayashi Hosai.

The fusion of innovation and tradition by the 16th Matsubayashi Hosai

Matsubayashi Hosai took over as the 16th Asahiyaki master in 2016, and continues to create works that incorporate modern sensibilities while protecting tradition. While based on traditional Asahiyaki techniques, his works have a modern feel and are highly regarded around the world. Hosai's works, which have expanded their scope of activity overseas, such as exhibitions and tea ceremonies at the Leach kiln in St. Ives, England, and the Guimet Museum of Asian Art in France, are a wonderful fusion of tradition and innovation. "Shuten Tsukishiroyu Nagashi Kinsai" is a work by Matsubayashi Hosai that is elegant yet has a sculptural beauty. The gold color is an accent, and it has both the splendor and calmness of the Rinpa aesthetic. The beautiful blue of the Tsukishiroyu creates a quiet, eternally appreciable landscape, enriching the hearts of those who use it. This work is a masterpiece that beautifully combines the tradition of Asahiyaki, which has a history of over 400 years, with a modern sensibility, and you can feel its deep beauty and historical background every time you use it.